Coast Sheds Sunshine On Live Acoustic Music

Sound Check

November 14, 2003|By SAM MCDONALD Daily Press

Tune to WKOC-FM (93.7) Sunday mornings and let some of Hampton Roads' top musicians give you a gentle wake-up call.

"Sunrise on The Coast," airing 7 a.m. to noon, has emerged as possibly the area's premier on-air showcase for live acoustic music. Host Hunter Hughes has regularly brought local and national standout players into the studio to perform live on the air.

Primarily, Hughes spins discs by mellow acoustic artists such as Alison Krauss, James Taylor, Shawn Colvin, Indigo Girls, and jazz men like Chris Botti and Pat Metheny. But live segments have become more common.

"I've gotten a lot of great feedback, especially from musicians," Hughes said. "The local musicians around here are very excited about it. There seems to be such an appetite for this kind of music right now."

Hughes said he's received a flood of positive e-mail about his show. "I really like being able to expose people to some bands and artists around here, and nationally. We've had some good indie artists that they normally wouldn't be exposed to anywhere else. It's a great outlet."

"Sunrise" has been on the air for about 10 years, Hughes said. And he's only the latest in a line of DJs to host the show. Of course, he's put his personal stamp on the program.

"I think I elevated the number of live performances in the studio," he said. "At one point this summer, I was doing one almost every week. I didn't want it to take over, but once I got started, people came out of the woodwork wanting to be on the show. People starting coming up to me, saying, 'Who's going to be on this Sunday?' So I starting doing them more."

The show is developing as a collaborative effort between host and audience. Hughes said a listener turned him on to a singer-songwriter named Sam Shaber. He ended up bringing the New York City artist to town for an appearance on his show. She also performed a free concert at Waterside in Norfolk after the radio gig.

Local musicians will continue to be part of his show. "It's not just a one-time thing," Hughes said. "Scott Varney is working on an album, for example. I told him, 'When you get this album together, come see me and we'll do some more stuff on the air.' It's an ongoing thing. I kind of want it to be the 'Austin City Limits' of the radio around here."

QUICK CHECKS.

The former movie theater at Hampton's Riverdale Shopping Center -- the one behind Denny's restaurant -- is being put to use by Bethel Temple for its youth programs. Those include performances by area bands, I'm glad to report. On Nov. 1 Red Admiral and The K-Word played. Shows won't be a regular feature, according to organizer Sam Unger, but more will take place possibly starting in mid-January. Call Unger at 870-9058 for more info. ... Punk rock fans, take notice: The Vans Off The Wall tour, featuring Suicide Machines, Avenged Sevenfold, Unseen and Western Waste, visits the area next week. The all-ages show is 6 p.m. Tuesday at Peabody's, 209 21st St., Virginia Beach. Tickets are $11 in advance, $13 day of show. 422-6212.